M I N U T E S
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2003-05-13
Canada
Room
Meeting No. 9
Attendance
|
Mayor D. Cousens
Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti
Regional Councillors T. Wong
B.
O'Donnell
Councillors S. Daurio
E.
Shapero
G.
McKelvey
J.
Heath
D.
Horchik
K.
Usman (5:50 p.m.)
A.
Chiu
|
J. Livey, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Allen, Chief Information Officer
J. Baird, Commissioner of Development
Services
S. Birrell, Town Clerk
S. Chait, Director, Corporate Quality &
Effectiveness
B. Cribbett, Treasurer
C. Conrad, Town Solicitor
F. Edwards, Manager of Administration
P. Ingham, General Manager, Roads
P. Loukes, Director of Street Services
P. Miller, Manager, Secretariat Services
J. Sales, Commissioner of Community
and Fire
Services
A. Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services
M.F. Turner, Commissioner, Strategy,
Innovation and
Partnership
B. Varner, Real Property Manager
|
The Committee of the Whole meeting convened at the hour of
5:20 p.m. with Mayor D. Cousens in the Chair.
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
None declared.
1. MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
APRIL 29, 2003 (16.0)
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held
on April 29, 2003 be confirmed.
Carried
2. TOWN'S LITTLE CHILDREN
DAYCARE - LEASE (3.18)
Committee had before it an information report from the Town
Solicitor regarding the Town's Little Children (TLC) Daycare Town employee
rebate proposal.
The Town Solicitor reviewed the report including the
financial impact of the employee discount which is approximately $1,000 per
child in the infant room per year or $20.00 per week for each week an employee
has a child in the infant room.
Helen Soehner, President, TLC Daycare, was in attendance and
stated that the information on subsidies does not address the concerns of the
daycare.
It was suggested that this matter be referred to the open
session of Committee of the Whole this date.
Moved by Regional Councillor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That consideration of the Town's Little Children (TLC)
Daycare lease be referred to the open session of Committee of the Whole this
date.
Carried
3. 180 MINGAY AVENUE, BLOCK
206, PLAN 65M-3519
SITE RESERVED FOR PLACE OF
WORSHIP
(BRIDLE TRAIL BAPTIST CHURCH)
(10.8 & 8.5)
The matter of 180 Mingay Avenue - a site reserved for a
place of worship - was dealt with at an in-camera session of Committee of the
Whole this date.
4. MARKHAM
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
CONCRETE FENCE REPLACEMENT
(5.0)
Committee had before it the information report dated May 13,
2003 from the Director of Operations and Asset Management regarding the Markham
Beautification Project for the replacement of concrete fences.
Discussion took place regarding the precedent setting nature
of this proposal and the impact on the rest of the Town, proper process and the
need for inclusion of an explanation when proper process is not followed, the
time sensitivity of this project, funding sources, an upcoming public meeting
to obtain public input, the possibility of Town-wide fence replacement,
potential liability with respect to persons traveling on municipal property,
the possibility of considering this project as a pilot project, confirmation
that replacement would be limited to concrete fences only, construction details
regarding the subject concrete fences, responsibility for future maintenance
and the need to clarify the degree of responsibility to be accepted by the
Town.
The Markham Beautification Committee and all those involved
in this project were congratulated on their efforts and achievement and on the
number of concerns that have been and are being addressed.
Councillor J. Heath expressed his concerns and submitted
them for the record as attached to the original minutes in the Clerk's Department
as Appendix 'A'.
Peter Loukes, Director of Operations and Asset Management
and Paul Ingham, General Manager of Operations, were in attendance and
reviewed the financial implications and
the rationale for attempts to obtain uniformity and standardization of
streetscape throughout the Town.
It was agreed that a
Special Community Services and Environment Committee meeting should be held to
consider the following issues:
1. The program apply Town-wide to concrete
fences only.
2. The Town's portion of the funding be
provided by services-in-kind only or some financial equivalent to the removal
of the existing concrete fences.
3. Staff be directed to report back on the
implementation and success of this initiative.
4. Staff be directed to report back on a
potential Town-wide program with the financial implications.
5. The homeowners be requested to enter into
an agreement to acknowledge they are responsible for future maintenance and
replacement of the fences.
6. The pilot project be expanded to include
all of Denison Street to Markham Road.
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Councillor J. Heath
That the Information
Report dated May 13, 2003 titled "Markham Beautification - Concrete Fence
Replacement Program", be received;
And that consideration
of this matter be deferred and referred to a special Community Services and
Environment Committee meeting to be held in the next two weeks to consider the
following:
1. The program apply Town-wide to concrete
fences only.
2. The Town's portion of the funding be
provided by services-in-kind only or some financial equivalent to the removal
of the existing concrete fences.
3. Staff be directed to report back on the
implementation and success of this initiative.
4. Staff be directed to report back on a
potential Town-wide program with the financial implications.
5. The homeowners be requested to enter into
an agreement to acknowledge they are responsible for future maintenance and
replacement of the fences.
6. The pilot project be expanded to include
all of Denison Street to Markham Road.
Carried
5. 2003 COMMITTEE/BOARD
APPOINTMENTS (16.24)
Moved by Councillor D. Horchik
Seconded by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Canada Day
Committee
That the resignation
of Lise Conde from the Canada Day Committee be accepted with regret and a
letter of appreciation be forwarded;
And that Regional
Councillors F. Scarpitti and T. Wong and Councillors E. Shapero and K. Usman
bring forward replacement appointment to a future Council meeting;
Markham Centre
Advisory Committee
And that the
following residents be appointed to the Markham Centre Advisory Committee:
Michelle Lynch for
the duration of the project
Donna Church for
the duration of the project
Barry McFarquhar for
the duration of the project
Carried
6. SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY
SYNDROME (SARS)
ECONOMIC RECOVERY TASK FORCE
UPDATE (11.0)
Councillor B. O'Donnell provided a verbal update on the SARS
Task Force meetings with respect to the impact of the SARS crisis on Markham
businesses. He read the proposed
recommendation of the Task Force in this regard.
Discussion took place regarding the proposed three-phase
marketing plan:
Phase 1: emergency
marketing plan to take place the Victoria Day weekend - permitting businesses
to remain open on Monday, May 19, 2003 - and aimed at the Chinese business
community. Businesses would be
permitted to remain open on other statutory holidays up to Thanksgiving Day but
not including Canada Day.
Phase 2: aimed
at the hotel industry in Markham
Phase 3: aimed
at encouraging vacationing in York Region.
Discussion continued about municipal authority regarding the
operation of businesses on statutory holidays, the "slogan" to be
used for the campaign, details of the proposed recommendation, and the fact
that the Task Force will continue to meet to deliberate on other areas in need
of assistance.
Moved by Regional Councillor B. O'Donnell
Seconded by Councillor K. Usman
That the tabled
report from the SARS Economic Recovery Task Force be received;
And whereas the
Markham Council established a special Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Economic Recovery Task Force for the purpose of recommending an action
programme promoting the economic recovery of Markham businesses negatively
affected by the SARS epidemic,
And whereas the Task
Force has consulted with a cross-section of the Markham business community in
order to better understand the extent of the economic impact and to identify
opportunities for the Town of Markham to assist in the economic recovery,
And whereas
commercial activity, particularly tourism and hospitality, have been
significantly affected by the SARS outbreak;
And whereas
Regulation 711/91 under the Retail Business Holidays Act provides that retail
business establishments in a municipality may be exempted for up to five
holidays a year during which a fair, festival or other special event is being
held in that municipality;
And whereas each
retail business establishment should be able to decide whether to open or not
and that they should seek input from their staff to ensure that staff that are
not able to work on the holiday are not required to do so;
Now therefore the
Task Force hereby unanimously recommends the following initial steps:
- That the Town of Markham exempts all
retail businesses from the provisions of the Retail Business Holidays Act,
pursuant to Regulation 711/91, for every statutory holiday from May 15,
2003, up to and including Thanksgiving 2003, with the exception of Canada
Day, thereby allowing retail businesses to operate and encouraging
increased economic activity;
- That the Town of Markham provide a grant
of $15,000 to the Richmond Hill and Markham Chinese Business Association
“Business Recovery Campaign”, to be funded from the Corporate Contingency
account number 840 841 7849 with the Town of Markham logo to be featured
on promotion materials;
- That the Town of Markham partner with
the Markham business community to support the use of an airplane-flown
banner during the Victoria Day weekend to promote shopping in Markham, at
a cost to the Town not to exceed $5,000, to be funded from the Economic
Development Business Development account 610-998-5808;
- That the Mayor and Council declare this
Victoria Day weekend as a special celebratory event called “Shop Markham”
to encourage all residents and visitors to enjoy life in Markham and
support the local business community;
- That retail businesses within the Town
of Markham be exempted from the provisions of the Retail Business Holidays
Act, in accordance with subsection 5(1) of Regulation 711/91, and retail
businesses be permitted to open on May 19, 2003;
- That the Chief of Police of York
Regional Police Services be advised;
And that, given
recognition that a longer-term attention is warranted, that the Task Force
continue to meet to plan further recovery initiatives and report its progress
at the next Council meeting, dated 27 May, 2003;
And further that
Council continue to be appreciative of Markham-Stouffville Hospital staff and
sponsor their Staff Recognition Celebration on Friday June 13, 2003 and that
the amount of $2,500, be approved.
Carried
………………………………………………….
Committee of the Whole recessed at 6:55 p.m. to convene the
Council meeting and reconvened at 7:05 p.m.
………………………………………………….
7. MARKHAM BOARD OF TRADE -
"BUY MARKHAM"
CAMPAIGN/PARTNERSHIP (10.16)
Committee had before it a tabled report regarding the
Markham Board of Trade "Buy Markham" campaign/partnership.
Committee expressed concern that endorsation of this effort
may be perceived as precluding the Town's tendering process. It was explained that this campaign is meant
to be one of awareness and not a preferential buying policy. Committee was assured the Town's current
practices will be adhered to.
Moved by Councillor G. McKelvey
Seconded by Councillor S. Daurio
That the report
entitled "Markham Board of Trade "Buy Markham"
Campaign/Partnership", be received;
And that Council
commend and acknowledge with appreciation the Markham Board of Trade for its
public awareness program "Buy Markham";
And that staff bring
forward a further report to update on this matter.
Carried
8. INTERNET VOTING (14.0)
Committee had before it the report from the Town Clerk
regarding proposed Internet voting.
Congratulations were extended to the Commissioner of
Corporate Services, the Chief Information Officer, the Town Clerk, the Manager
of Administration and all those involved for their significant achievement.
The Town Clerk explained that Internet voting is part of an
integrated approach to include optic scanning and touch screen for the visually
impaired.
The Manager of Administration explained the timing and
advised that the Town of Markham will be the only Internet voting site in
Canada and in North America. Security
has been ensured through a partnership with Election Systems & Software
Inc. (ES & S).
The Chief Information Officer confirmed that all ES&S
documentation has been reviewed and a good level of security has been confirmed
similar to other e-commerce sites.
Discussions have taken place with two municipalities in Scotland, both
before and after their Internet voting experiences. These municipalities were very pleased, they experienced no
difficulties, and voter turnout was increased by 20%.
Moved by Councillor S. Daurio
Seconded by Councillor J. Heath
That Council approve
Internet voting for 2003 Advance voting;
And that Internet
voting be available for the casting of votes during the continuous Advance
voting days starting at 12:00 noon, November 3, 2003 and ending at 8:00 p.m.,
November 7, 2003;
And further that a
by-law be presented to establish Internet voting as an alternative method of
voting in the 2003 Municipal Elections.
Carried